Традиции в казахской семье: Ценности и традиции современной казахской семьи

Казахские традиции и обычаи при рождении ребенка: детали

Казахские традиции и обычаи при рождении ребенка формировались на протяжении столетий. В них отразилась национальная мифология и менталитет нашего народа. До сих пор большинство семей исполняют эти ритуалы, но не всем известно их тайное значение. Об этом и пойдет речь в статье.

Фото: pexels.com

Казахские традиции: первые сорок дней жизни ребенка

Традиции казахов, которые связаны с семьей, играют огромную роль в духовной культуре и образе жизни народа. Казахи отличаются любовью к детям, терпеливостью, щедростью и душевной теплотой. Поэтому казахские праздники, связанные с новорожденными, всегда пышные и яркие.

Основные ритуалы для младенцев проводят на протяжении первых сорока дней жизни. Вот о каких обрядах идет речь:

• Рождение ребенка: шилдехана.

Шилдехана — это праздник в честь рождения ребенка. Традиции казахского народа «шилдехана той» — это групповые обряды вербальной магии, который проводили на нечетный день в первую неделю рождения ребенка — третий, пятый или седьмой.

Гости, которые собирались на празднование рождения ребенка, произносили добрые пожелания, поздравления. Обязательным было щедрое угощение, игра на домбре, иногда устраивали состязания батыров, конные скачки.

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• Традиции Казахстана: калжа той.

Семейные традиции казахов принимали во внимание и состояние роженицы. Для нее проводили специальный ритуал — калжа той. Чтобы молодая мама быстрее восстанавливалась после разрешения от бремени, для нее готовилась калжа — сытное угощение из мяса барашка. Его резал либо муж роженицы, либо привозили его родители.

В пиршестве участвовали родственники и друзья. Еще до начала торжества для женщины, которая родила, готовили мясной бульон (сорпу), давали печень и мясо барашка. Молодая мать ела шею барашка, а кости нанизывали на веревку или прутья. Считается, что это повлияет на физическую выносливость малыша, на то, чтобы он быстрее стал держать головку.

Фото: pexels.com

• Казахские обряды: бесик той, бесикке салу.

Празднуют казахи день, когда ребенка перекладывают в люльку. Это происходит на третий или пятый день. Его проводят после празднования шилдехана.

На праздник зовут близких людей (они приносят подарки для новорожденного). Колыбель и приданое для ребенка — бесик тарту — предоставляет сторона родившей женщины (в некоторых регионах дарят родители мужа). Сваты преподносят друг другу подарки, обязательно девять штук (обычай «тогыз апару»).

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После застолья приступали к главному — укладывали ребенка в люльку. В кроватку (колыбель) ребенка укладывает бабушка. Предварительно воздух окуривали благовониями, чтобы изгнать злых духов, проводили ритуал тыштыма: через отверстие на дне колыбели протягивали сладости, конфеты и курт. После всем гостям раздавали саркыт — угощение для детей.

Во время шилдехана или бесикке салу проводят обряд имянаречения — есім кою, ат қою. Проведение его поручают старейшему из рода, родителям, мулле или достопочтенному человеку.

• Традиции казахского народа: кыркынан шыгару.

Кыркынан шыгару (‘сороковины’) — семейный праздник, в котором принимают участие только женщины. Обряд проводят по истечению сорока дней с момента рождения малыша. Считается, что он уже достаточно окреп, чтобы его можно было представить общине.

В религиозных представлениях устоялась мысль о том, что именно на сороковой день в ребенка вселяется душа. После кыркынан шыгару он становится полноценным человеком. Для ритуала готовят:

• белую скатерть, расшитую национальным орнаментом;
• деревянную пиалу с ложкой;
• серебряные монеты (20, 50 и 100 тенге) общим количеством 40;
• серебряные украшения;
• ножнички.

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40 дней ребенку: основные правила и значение ритуала

Родители готовят ребенку чистую праздничную одежду, а родственники приносят коржын — корзину подарков для новорожденного. Сам ритуал представляет собой очищение водой. Поэтому заранее готовят ванночку для купания, куда наливают теплую воду:

1. В деревянную тару кладут серебряные украшения, монеты. В некоторых регионах добавляют в чашу фасоль, асыки для мальчика или бусины для девочки.
2. Женщины постарше наливают в чашу сорок ложек воды из ванночки. После ребенка поливают этими сорока ложками воды. Омовение сопровождают здравицами и добрыми пожеланиями. После ритуала женщины забирают серебро из миски.
3. Новорожденному состригают волосы и ногти (волосы хранят завернутыми в полотно как оберег, а ногти закапывают там, где не ходят люди). Женщине (обычно это делает киндик шеше — вторая мама), которая состригает волосы, дают золото по весу состриженного.
4. На ребенка надевают чистую сорочку, а «ит көйлек» (рубашечку, в которую одевали малыша до 40-ка дней) отдают бездетной женщине.

В конце празднества родители одаривают всех подарками и угощают за роскошным столом.

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Сейчас большинство этих обрядов утратило свое магическое значение. Родители чаще всего устраивают пышные торжества в ресторанах и кафе, приглашают тамаду для ведения празднества. Из-за этого ритуалы претерпевают изменения.

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Рождение ребенка: приметы

Каждый этап социализации новорожденного сопровождался приметами, которым уделяли особенное внимание. Вот некоторые из них, на которые обращают внимание и в наше время:

• Казахские традиции: запреты, ритуалы и приметы сна.

Не желательно приходить в дом, где родился ребенок, после захода солнца. Запрещено гулять с младенцем при луне. Нельзя развешивать белье малыша, особенно на ночь.

Чтобы оградить новорожденного от сглаза, ему пришивают или цепляют на одежду оберег от злых духов, а у его колыбели должен гореть свет и висеть амулеты (9 штук). Перед тем как ребенка уложить в кроватку, ее окуривают травами, а потом проветривают помещение.

Ребенка ждет известность, если он любит спать на спине. Он будет нерешительным и беспокойным, если поджимает ноги во сне. Станет философом, если для сна переворачивается на живот, вытягивает во сне руки и ноги — будет выдающейся личностью — гением или героем.

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Современная казахская свадьба: традиции

Фото: pixabay.com

• Кыркынан шыгару: приметы.

Ритуал проводят по-разному для мальчиков и девочек:

1. Чтобы сын был сильным и мужественным, ритуал делают раньше сорокового дня — 37–39-й день.
2. Чтобы дочь была прилежной и покладистой, ее кыркынан шыгару совершают позднее 40-го дня — на 41–43-и сутки.

Согласно приметам, мальчик будет мямлей, если провели обряд после сорокового дня, а если «привели в мир» раньше положенного срока девочку, тогда она будет взбалмошной и легкомысленной. Есть и другое объяснение этих временных рамок: мальчик заплатит меньший калым, а за дочь, наоборот, дадут больший выкуп.

Фото: pixabay.com

• Ритуалы и приметы, которые помогают в развитии.

Чтобы ребенок быстрее пошел, проводят обряд тусау кесу. Совершают обрезание пут, как только малыш сделал первые шажки. Крестная мама опутывает ножки ребенка черными и белыми нитками так, чтобы они образовали восьмерку, а мужчина, который пользуется уважением, разрезает эти пута и проводит его по белой дорожке. Чтобы малыш был счастливым и здоровым, нужно, чтобы он прополз между ног трех бабушек.

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Уйгурская свадьба: обычаи и традиции

Обряды казахского народа, связанные с рождением ребенка, имеют в основном культурно-бытовой характер, связь с историей и давними аутентичными религиозными традициями большей частью утрачены. Тем не менее все молодые родители исполняют их под чутким руководством более опытных бабушек и дедушек.

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Гостеприимство казахов: традиции и обычаи

Гостеприимство казахов — одна из тех культурных особенностей, которые демонстрируют характер народа, его менталитет. Дом казаха всегда открыт для дорогих гостей. Считается грехом отказать в крове, еде путнику, который попал в твой дом. У казахов есть специальные ритуалы гостеприимства. Давайте проверим, все ли хорошо их знают.

Фото: lenta.inform.kz

Традиции казахского народа богаты и разнообразны. Среди них на особом месте находятся обряды и ритуалы, которые сопровождают прием гостей, — конакасы. Когда бы не появился конак на пороге казахского дома, будет накрыт дастархан, оказано уважение и почет. Сама процедура приготовления и подачи еды имеет особые правила и законы, которым следует каждая казахская семья.

В старину тот, кто не сумел оказать достойного почтения гостю, поддавался осуждению общества. Его грех падал на весь род. Поэтому казахский народ не просто уважительно относится к законам гостеприимства, а строго чтит их.

Традиции и обычаи казахского народа, связанные с приемом гостей, передаются из поколения в поколение. Вот основные из них:

• Салем беру. С давних времен казахи уделяли особое внимание этикету. В первую очередь это касается приветствия гостей. Вот основные правила встречи:

1. Хозяева помогают гостям снять верхнюю одежду, провожают их в лучшую комнату квартиры или дома, усаживают на почетное место в юрте.
2. При встрече обязательно высказывают приветствия и любезности: «Сəлем бердік!», «Сəлеметсізбе!», «Қайырлы күн», «Қайырлы кеш!». Слова сопровождают пожатием обеих рук. Хозяин пожатие руки сопровождает поклоном. С родственниками и близкими друзьями хозяева обнимаются и обмениваются поцелуями.

Фото: total.kz

• Рассаживание гостей за дастарханом также имеет свои правила. Казахские традиции требуют, чтобы за праздничным столом хозяева размещали приглашенных, учитывая степень родства, возраст, социальный статус и общественное положение. Соблюдаются такие обычаи:

1. Первыми к столу подходят гости почтенного возраста. Для них подготовлено почетное место — төр.
2. Остальные гости рассаживаются в зависимости от значимости и роли в семье. В Южном и некоторых регионах Западного Казахстана женщины усаживаются недалеко от дверей. Старшая из них находится ближе к мужчинам.
3. После рассаживания все обмениваются рукопожатиями с теми, кто сидит рядом с ними.
4. Хозяева за стол садятся последними.
5. Если гость припоздал, то он проходит на место с поклоном. Остальные привстают. Если приходит почтенный человек, то все встают и угощение приостанавливается, пока его не проведут на почетное место.

Примечание. В некоторых регионах РК принят также раздельный принцип приема гостей: за отдельные столы усаживают женщин, детей и мужчин.

Фото: ic24.kz

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• Белкотерер — обычай, который касается специфики угощений, которые подавали пожилым людям. Поскольку не вся еда, которая есть на дастархане, подходит людям старшего возраста, то родственники, дети или соседи приносили для них специальные яства: творог, казы, мед, масло, жент, кумыс. Таким образом выказывалась забота о родителях, бабушках и дедушках.
• Ат мингизип, шапан жабу — особый ритуал, согласно которому самому уважаемому гостю (батыру, акыну, почтенному человеку) дарили скакуна или чапан.
• Бес жаксы — традиция одаривать пятью ценными вещами уважаемых людей, которые почтили своим присутствием дом. Такие дары включали: верблюда, скакуна, персидский ковер, саблю и соболью шубу.

Фото: e-history.kz

• Сүйінші предполагает преподнесение подарка тому, кто принес в дом хорошую весть.
• Коримдик и байғазы — обычай одаривать хозяев, сын которых привел в дом невестку, или в их доме появились обновки, были сделаны важные и значимые покупки.
• Конаккаде — знак взаимного уважения, которое выказывают гости. Хозяин вправе попросить почтившего его конака спеть песню, прочитать поэзию или станцевать. Это своеобразный подарок, который гость делает принимающей его стороне.

Фото: joyday.me

• Бата — это ответное слово-благословение, которое произносили аксакалы, выражая благодарность хозяевам за прием. Это могли быть красивые слова или песня.

Есть обычаи и традиции казахского народа, которые имеют общественное значение. К ним относятся такие ритуалы:

• Ерулик — угощение для новоселов. Семьи, которые поселились рядом, приглашают в гости, чтобы наладить отношения, лучше узнать, кто живет рядом. Эта традиция имеет психологическое значение. Она позволяет объединиться, быстрее адаптироваться к новому месту жительства.
• Жылу — традиция одаривания тех, кто пострадал от разных бедствий (пожара, наводнения и т. д.). Таким образом казахи демонстрировали сочувствие и проявляли взаимопомощь в сложных жизненных ситуациях. Дарили, как правило, скот, одежду, деньги — то, что могло бы компенсировать потери, позволило быстрее восстановить жилище, обеспечило бы на первое время самым необходимым.

Негласный закон, которому следуют все казахи, звучит так: «Каждый гость — посланник Бога». Поэтому путникам оказывают особое уважение и почтение. В древности те, кто не исполнял правила гостеприимства, карался штрафом.

Гостеприимство — основная традиция казахов, трансформировавшаяся в особую черту национального характера. Эти обычаи дошли и до наших дней. Казахские семьи следуют давним национальным традициям.

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90000 Kazakh culture and national traditions 90001 90002 Kazakh culture and national traditions 90003 90004 Training be a mother-in-law 90005 90006 90007 Kyeli kyim 90008 90009 According to ancient Kazakh tradition, the mother-in-law would not let her daughter-in law go home until a year had passed. During this period it was her duty to educate the new bride on her new duties. Surely this must have been a difficult period for the new bride. First, as mentioned earlier, she had to invent and use correctly new nicknames for her husbands parents.Second, she had a number of specific household duties to perform: to get up early, open the tundik, bring in the water, heat the yurt, prepare warm water for her father-in law to pour, and she was to close tundik late night. During the day she had to prepare the tea, process kumiss and cottage cheese, make kurt, wash the linen and the dishes, milk the cows and horses, gather “Kizyak” (processed dung used as fuel), and prepare lunch and dinner: in brief she had to do lots of work to do. She would not be able to go to bed until very late, and only after she had done all these chores.Should a guest come to visit at night, the young wife would also be expected to graciously entertain, leading to 17-18 hours of hard work during a typical day. Third, she had always to bow to her father-in law and mother-in law. Fourth, during the “testing” year, she must not show any trace of ill temper. If she failed to get up early, i-t, was within the right of one of her brother’s-in law to beat her with a kuruk, a device designed for capturing unbroken horses. Should she be struck by her brother-in-law, she was not to become offended, but rather rise immediately and begin her tasks.90010 90006 Household training of the sort described here was believed to be only the way to bring up a daughter-in law to be industrious and kind, and only upon the delivery of her first child could she graduate from this sort of “schooling.” At this point the mother-in law would reassign her ceremonial location in the yurt away from the door and to another location, stating that “Before you were young, now you are a mother. You have passed the test and are now and equal member of this family.”Then she would kiss the young bride; and no longer would she be required to bow to other members of the family. The mother-in law would also give her a knife and a bowl, and let the young wife cut any piece of meat she liked to boil. It likewise meant that she could slaughter cattle and treat guests on her own, because she was now able to be a hostess. 90010 90006 That day the mother-in law would also place the “kimeshek,” an old-fashioned women’s headdress (of white calico) on her daughter-in-law’s head.The kimeshek would have been sent by her parents, who also wished their daughter to have a baby as soon as possible. A kimeshek was also known as a “kyieli kyim,” which means “sacred cloth” in English. Should the kelin never have children, the kimeshek would be kept in the trunk indefinitely. Saukele as you know, was for the new bride, but the kimeshek was for a new mother. Both the kimeshek and the saukele were white, a favorite color of the Kazakhs. The kimeshek was a larger headdress, however, because it would hide the most beautiful parts of a woman from every man but her husband, Concealing the thick black hair and a white long neck of a woman was its primary purpose.On the other hand, kimeshek was also liked by women because it was warm and kept a woman’s hair from interfering with her food preparation during the day. Often, though, as a new bride became accustomed to her new household, she was not required to wear this headdress. 90010 90006 90007 Torkindeu 90008 90009 In the Kazakh tradition, Torkindeu was very important. With the exception of her brothers, no one else from the bride’s family was permitted to visit her during her year of “training.”Yearning for her parents and other relatives, she might weep and say: I’d like to ride a horse, but it has no shoes.I’d like to wear a coat ‘but it has no collar, I’m weeping because I’ve nobody to visit me. Torkindeu was the occasion of the kelin’s first visit to her relatives after her relocation to her husband’s household. The kelin would go there with her husband and a djien. A djien is a nephew or niece from the bride’s family. With them they bring presents for her parents and other relatives.She visits them for a month, because she has not seen them for a year. Her parents and relatives would also slaughter a sheep for this occasion. When the young couple returned home, the kelin’s parents and relatives would give them a horse with a foal, a cow with a calf, and forty goats. For the djien they would also present a one year old skewbald horse. Kazakhs never spared anything from their daughter and djien. They would say: “The prophet also respected his son-in law” or “Never beat djien, otherwise your hands would shake” or “My mother’s and my husbands brothers are all wealthy people, how can I be poor?” According to Eastern tradition, after the father’s death his sons and daughters would equally inherit his property.In Kazakh tradition, on the other hand, the youngest son would inherit all of his property and cattle. Most surprising in our tradition is that a son or daughter was forbidden to marry anyone with the same surname as an ancestor of the preceding seven generations. This was done out of respect for previous generations as well as a belief that the quality of future generations depended upon new bloodlines. 90010 90006 90007 Enshi beru, otau bolu 90008 90009 We have already discussed traditions beginning with Zharxs Kazan.Accordingly, when children married and began to have their own children, the parents would ask them to move out. They would give them cattle, dishes, felt and other items necessary to furnish a yurt. All relatives contributed to the establishment of a this new household, and this giving was marked with its own little celebration, One of the reasons of separating from the children was that some sons used to become overly dependent upon their parents and become idle. It was believed that a separation was necessary to teach a son how to protect and feed his own family.Having their own yurt, the young couple had then to invite relatives and neighbors and prove that they could survive without the aid of their folks. Daughters-in-law were very friendly, during this period, being sure to send meat home to her in-laws were they unable to attend a family gathering. Related families, or the aul, were required to obey the Aksakal, or the oldest man of the community. When the young couple moved into their own yurt, the husband’s father would present him with a camel. This symbolized that when moving to another place (as the Kazakhs were nomads), he must not stay behind the caravan.His mother would also give them a cow with a calf, which meant that they could feed their children with milk, sour cream, yogurt, kurt, and butter. If the young couple could successfully handle their cattle, it was expected that they would live in easy circumstances. 90010 90004 Other traditions 90005 90006 In earlier times Kazakhs had many traditions; most of them are no longer followed, of course. Here is a list of some of them. 90010 90006 90007 Ishet kuda tusu 90008 90009 There were close friends who shared almost everything.They would say: “If your wife would give a birth to a daughter and mine to a son, we would be kinsmen.” This meant that they wanted to pass their friendship along to the next generation. After saying this they would take off their shirts hug each other, and take an oath. Later if children came to the friends in the manner anticipated, they lived as kinsmen. Their yurts would be close, so they could bring up their children together. In such cases, the bride’s parents would not ask for kalyn mal (the dowry) or other typical gifts from the future groom’s family.They would consider that they had a son and a daughter. Cattle and food were often held in common by these families; their children grew up together; and minor transgressions were easily overlooked. We could use such traditions today, because one day we hear that someone is married, the next day that they have divorced. Kinsmen often argue and fight amongst themselves, which makes us all remember the friendlier traditions of early days. 90010 90006 90007 Kolbala 90008 90009 Fate is often unkind to a human being.If a young girl’s parents died before she was grown, she might be brought up by relatives. When she matured, a man might observe and follow her. Usually these were men who had not married or who were widows. Such a man might make an agreement with the girl “s relatives to feed and nurture her. After taking her home he would keep this promise, but later he would also marry her. Yet, there would be no wedding ceremony of the types we described earlier. Kazakhs called this practice “Kolbala.” 90010 90006 90007 Ui synygy 90008 90009 In ancient times Kazakh men would marry several times.Even if a man lost a wife early after a marriage, he would likely marry again quickly. Were he to marry a virgin in subsequent ceremonies, he would have to pay almost a double “kalyn mal.” Women of the aul would condemn this practice and gossip, demanding him to give “ui sinigi,” which is kind of penalty. Only poor parents would view such a liaison as desirable, for they may have been living from hand to mouth. Poorer families might not even be able to move with their neighbors and kin to another pasture because they had not a camel or a horse to transport their yurt.So, the “selling” of a daughter may have been their best way to improve family prospects. 90010 90006 90007 Karsy kuda 90008 90009 If two friends each had two daughters or two sons, they might have all four of their children intermarry. In such a way they became kinsman; this practice was called “Karsy kuda.” This often happened among families who could not afford kalyn mal. The brides in each case would likely feel happier and more at home in the groom’s yurt as she was already well acquainted with her future in-laws.Less affluent kinsmen or matchmakers often lived close to each other on the steppe. They could borrow each others horses or camels when it was needed, and they could milk each others cows. Should one kinswoman be absent for some reason, her relative might perform her duties for her. Children from poorer Kazakh families would be very important. They were required to do much hard work, and were capable of great endurance. 90010 90006 90007 Amenger 90008 90009 In early times if a beautiful and clever young woman became a widow, her in-laws and their relatives may have wanted her to marry again within the family, thus making her again the tokal (the youngest wife).They would say: “although her husband died, it does not mean she must leave this place. One day the poor would be rich, and a young girl would be a lady.” If the widow had a few children and she owned many cattle or she was rich, many men might want marry her. However, if her parents were aristocrats, they would take her back. Otherwise, the groom’s family would try to keep her because they had paid kalin mal to obtain her in the first place. Furthermore, as it was the Kazakh tradition to have two or more wives anyway, remarrying another brother was an acceptable way to keep her in the family.It was bad for the widow to have to marry the deceased husband’s youngest brother, however. For, after meeting a girl of his own age, he could leave the widow. On the other hand, if the widow was persistent and did not want to marry anyone, she could stay alone or with her children in her yurt. Her in laws and relatives would respect her, and help to raise her children. 90010 90006 90007 Ericti kundes 90008 90009 We are not sure about aging patterns among other peoples, but Kazakh women appeared to age more rapidly than the men.Perhaps the reason was that they were used to doing all the hard work about the house and raising the children. Poverty may also have contributed. One way for a wife to find help in sharing the burden of running a household was to find a suitable and well-bred second wife to voluntarily marry her husband. Sometimes the first wife might also encourage her husband to marry her sister, hoping that this might also ensure good treatment of her children. The first wife would thus become the Baibishe (senior wife), and more recently married ones the Tokal.The taking of a second wife often, though, created a friendly rivalry in the yurt. The baibishe was happy to direct the work of a new wife or wives, but sometimes she became jealous of her husband’s attention to a younger and more glamorous woman. Kazakhs would say. “A husband for the tokal, the cattle for baibishe”. 90010 90006 Of course, all of the above mentioned traditions may or may not have been useful for the Kazakhs, but in either event they were the traditions of our forefathers.We should take from them ideas and practices useful today in modern life where they would be useful. Especially nowadays we need our generation to be respectful, kind, and merciful; all of which visible in the traditions of our forefathers. 90010 90004 The funeral 90005 90006 Sooner or later everybody must die: even our forefather Korkyt could not escape from death. Kazakhs would say: “People are born and die;” or “Persons are born to die;” or “Death would waste a wealthy man’s cattle.”These proverbs underscored the white and black stripes of life. Kazakhs not only respected people or relatives in their lifetime, but when they died they would also be given great respect. 90010 90006 One Kazakh proverb is “If your dead ancestors are not satisfied with you, you will not be rich.” Following we describe several traditions involving death. 90010 90006 90007 Arysdasu 90008 90009 When a person became aware that he would not recover from a serious illness, all his relatives would gather to say farewell and to ask forgiveness for previous disagreements.The ill person would then tell kinsmen how to distribute his property upon his death; request a burial, location, designate someone to prepare his body for its final rites, and instruct his friends about what sort of tomb or dome he wanted. If he had children he would also ask his trusted relatives to take care of them. Kazakhs felt great responsibility to fulfill the last requests of a dying person and to attempt to do everything that was asked. 90010 90006 90007 Iman Uiru 90008 90009 Involved the attendance of a mullah to help bless and make decisions for a sick person in such poor health that he or she was unable to make his final communion himself.90010 90006 90007 Imansu 90008 90009 In the Kazakh tradition, nobody was allowed to ask about a sick person’s health in the evening. Sometimes when a person was expected to die, though, there would be moments when he would talk, joke and eat something. Kazakhs called this “Boi jasau” or “Boi jazu.” Special food called “atau kere” or “jai kese” would be prepared. Perhaps contemporary bad expression in Kazakh, “Kerendi ish” came from this. People today say this when they are nervous.90009 In cases when a mullah attended a dying person’s communion, “communion water” would be poured into his mouth, and prayers would be said. When there was a sign that he had died, the wife, children and relatives of the deceased person would cry aloud. The mullah would close the dead person’s eyes, bind his jaw, and cover his face with a white cloth. After this they would take off his clothes, wrap him in a white fabric and put his body inside the screen of the yurt. Wealthy people might place him in a separate yurt.90010 90006 In Kazakh tradition, the deceased person’s body would be kept for three days, for in early times they considered that the soul of the deceased person would remain in the yurt for two days, departing for heaven on the third. So too, it often took several days for relatives living in remote places to come for the funeral. During these days, the body would be guarded by the old people of the family. At night a candle would be lit. Famous Kazakh scholar Shokan Valikhanov made an extensive study of the Kazakh funeral ceremony and he explained that in the Kazakh ancient tradition, a dead person’s soul would visit his home and children for about forty days.Thus, his wife or other close relative would leave the door open and light the candle for the deceased to better see the threshold upon visiting. She would also spread a white felt and place a kese (teacup) of kumiss upon it for the spirit. 90010 90006 Earlier we stated that the purpose of setting fire and lighting a candle in general was meant to drive away grief and distress. When a person died his friends would say “Let the ground be soft for him.” Some zhigits would invite people to the memorial service, but before this they had to prepare all the necessary things involved in a funeral, Many people from different clans would gather, and the old people and the mullah would choose the person to wash the dead person , if the deceased had not already specified them.Typically five or seven men were involved in the washing if the deceased person had been male. All involved in this ceremony had to be familiar with the rules of washing, and a relative had to always be present. All involved had also to be about the same age as the deceased. After the washing, they would place his body on a white cloth, or wrap him and bind him in three places. Then the body would be wrapped in a rug or white felt, and finally covered with a robe of pure silk fabric. 90010 90006 Then the mullah performed a memorial service and he would remove the silk garment from the deceased’s body.Relatives would give gifts or “pidiya” to symbolically atone for mistakes or sins the deceased may have committed in his or her lifetime. Usually such gifts were made to a very poor person. Those who washed the deceased’s body would be given his good cloths, and after this his body would be carried to the grave. Women would typically not be allowed to go to the grave. Rather, three men would place him in the grave, and three others would stand outside. Following this they would remove the three bindings used to hold the shroud in place and tie them upon themselves.All other witnesses to this event would then come and drop handfuls of earth into the grave. Following the complete interment, the mullah would pray. If the dead person had been old, his. relatives would then return and distribute pieces of cloth to every women who had been to the funeral. 90010 90006 The next part of the funeral ceremony was called is – syit beru. Here the relatives of the dead gave his clothes to fifteen or more people, or they would distribute money to the representatives of different clans.The mullah who had performed the memorial service would also be given a horse or a cow, and the men who had dug the grave would also be paid. 90010 90006 Family members would then invite people between seven and forty days after his death. For visitors they would slaughter a camel or horse. As beru was held one year later. A horse which would be slaughtered would be specially chosen for this event, and it had to be well fed and better than the one ridden by the deceased during his lifetime.The family of the deceased person would grieve for the whole year. When the year was up, the time of As beru came and the family of dead would then try to forget about their loss. Sometimes Kazakhs treated as beru as toi. Wealthy people might organize it as a feast where people might have fun watching horse races, different games, and competitions between poets and the singers of folksongs. Everyone would bring something he could afford to contribute to the event, e. g one sheep or bowl of kumiss.Now we describe some other traditions concerning the funeral. 90010 90006 Every year before fasting for the Islamic holiday, relatives would invite the mullah to read the Koran in honor of the dead. Another important artifact of the funeral ceremony is the selection and construction of a tomb. Different shapes are possible: cone shaped or square, some with a dome. Dome and cone shaped tombs looked like a yurt, but the poor could only afford square ones. Before death, an individual would tell his family what kind of cemetery to build for him.Some might ask that their tomb not be covered, so their bones would feel the sun and the rain. 90010 90006 After having heard that his relative died, many people would cry loudly and hug members of their family. In some places they did this for forty days. In order to do this, family members of the dead person had to remain at home. Should they be out and busy, a boy might serve as watch in case of approaching visitors. In ancient times a black ribbon might be attached to the house of the dead as a signal of mourning to passers-by.90010 90006 We think there were probably few cultural groups who paid more homage to the dead than the Kazakhs. Even the evening of the day when a person died found the preparation of special foods for guests, such as “konak asi” or “besbarmak,” a dish to be described later. Some visitors to the death scene would weep; older people would give advice and try to keep things calm as they also called upon god keep the deceaseds children happy. It was also important for Kazakhs to have many children and relatives to mourn for them upon their passing.When many people cried, it suggested the respect held for the deceased. If only a few were visibly affected, observers might say: “How pitiful! He has not any son or daughter to remember him, poor fellow. Family members would lament in different ways, remembering remember out-loud how clever, helpful, and generous he was. An illustrative lament was: 90010 90006 90100 Why was he wrapped 90009 in a cloth without sleeves and collar? 90009 Why he did enter the house 90009 without doors and honorable places? 90009 Every step taken with you was as a feast 90009 For whom did leave us, my dear? 90009 May the earth your brothers have covered you with 90009 be as a warm blanket.Meanwhile, his beloved wife might keen: 90009 During the horse race it was clear that the horse would sweat 90009 When relatives come now, however who will meet them? 90009 I can not tell my sorrow to our children, 90009 the way I used to tell you. How can I live without you, 90009 remembering about our good times together. 90113 90010 90006 For the most part, deceased persons would be extolled for their better qualities, since losing a beloved person was always a great sorrow.Sometimes, though, the funeral ceremony contained an element of criticism. To illustrate, let me tell you one story about one such funeral. Once an old man (Bazarbai) died. He had many children and he was thought to be respectable, yet when he died only two elder daughters-in law, two daughters and his old wife wept. According to observers, however, as many as twenty women were related to the deceased and expected to cry. This led to much gossip. Two of his daughters-in law for example were criticized for not knowing the Kazakh language, the other kelin was a professor who believed that she was too important to sit on a blanket made of cloth pieces, an attending brother was a minister – yet none of them showed sings of mourning.This led the great gossiper of the aul, Zhaken, to say: “Oh poor Bazeken (the pet name of a deceased person), it is as if he had no children. His sons were not influenced by his life (or didn ‘ t have influence on their wives?). You know, Bazeken spent all his life grazing sheep in inclement weather in order to pay for their education and to support them – all to no avail. ” 90010 90006 In this way we can see that keening rituals were important for Kazakhs as testimonies of respect. Among some clans wives and daughters would loosen their hair during their lamentations, and sometimes even scratch their faces.They would not wear earrings, rings, or other jewelry, and did not wear their best or brightest cloths for long periods of time. Among many families, men returning from burying a lost relative or friend might cry out in a loud voice, beginning with “Oh bauirirn ou (brother by blood …). 90010 90006 Above we described various aspects of the funeral ceremony. These ceremonies were fairly uniform and resistenl to change in ancient times because they had both religious and traditional features.Of course, the same could be said of similar ceremonies practiced by other cultural groups in ages past. But nowadays slight alterations in burial practices can be found. For example, when the deceased person’s body was wrapped in his own clothes, they may have brand new or worn. Earlier recipients of these garments from the body did not usually care what cloths they were given, for just receiving them was an honor. Nowadays many who might be eligible to receive such wraps wont take them unless they are new, forcing the family of dying or recently deceased individuals to buy some new cloths in advance of the funeral.We think this is wrong. The funeral is not a feast, and mourners ought to consider the deceased’s financial situation and the future needs of his children first. Anyway it is important for everyone, especially for Kazakhs to respect national traditions. 90010.90000 Kazakh national customs and traditions 90001 90002 Kazakhs have always revered and highly valued their national customs and traditions. It is almost impossible to describe all the 90003 90004 traditions followed by Kazakh people in one article, thus a brief introduction to Kazakh beliefs and customs is given below. 90005 90002 The main 90003 tradition of Kazakhs 90004, which eventually transformed into a feature of national character, is 90009 hospitality 90010. In the Kazakh society, there is an unofficial law voiced in ancient times, which says “Meet a guest as the God’s messenger”.90011 Hospitality is considered a sacred duty in the Kazakh society. At all times, the steppe inhabitants did their best to please their guest. Therefore, each traveller knew that he or she would be welcomed anywhere in the Kazakh land. 90005 90002 90009 Respect for the elderly 90010 is another positive feature of Kazakhs. Traditionally, a child from early childhood is taught to be moderate and honest when dealing with older, wiser and life experienced people. 90011 However, the above mentioned national identities that served as a basis for the occurrence of generalized rules and principles of public relations (tradition), fortunately, are confined not only to representatives of the Kazakh people.Therefore, we offer to your attention a list of basic and authentic customs, which are widespread in the Kazakh society. 90005 90002 90003 1. Traditions and customs associated with the guest reception 90004 90005 90002 Travellers in Kazakhstan are most likely to be encountered with the traditions, associated with guest reception. Here are some examples of them: 90005 90002 90003 Konakasy 90004 – a custom associated with treating of a guest. As mentioned above, Kazakh people since ancient times have been famous for their hospitality.Kazakhs always reserve the tastiest food for guests. Guests are divided into three types: “arnayy konak” is a specially invited guest, “kudayy konak” – a random stranger (uninvited), “kydyrma konak” – an unexpected guest. All these guests, despite of their type are offered a rich table – Konakasy. 90005 90002 90003 Konakkade 90004 – a tradition under which a host has a right to ask a guest to sing a song or play a musical instrument (of course, as long as a guest is known for his or her talent), thus ensuring some fun and joy during the feast.90005 90002 90003 Erulik 90004 – if new settlers came to a village erulik was arranged in their honour, i.e. a small celebration that allowed newcomers to quickly adapt to the new location. Also, the custom erulik includes assistance in settling of the newcomers, when neighbours provide them with firewood, drinking water, etc. for the time being. 90005 90002 90003 Toy dastarkhan 90004 – a special form of celebration, organized for holiday or during it. Sports competitions, music, singing competitions (aitys) and horse riding competitions are organised in addition to the gatherings during Toy dastarkhan.Very often, dishes of Kazakh national cuisine are served during such occasions. 90005 90002 90011 90003 2. Traditions and customs associated with gift giving 90004 90005 90002 Guests are very often have to receive or give presents; in addition, there are often times, when gifts should be given in some special occasions according to the traditions. Some examples are given below: 90005 90002 90003 Suyіnshі 90004 – a custom according to which a traveller or any other person who brought home a good message (news) receives a valuable gift from the owners in gratitude.Sometimes before telling good news a person says ‘Suyunshi’ or ‘what would you give me for a Suyinshi?’, Thus implying that he or she has something great to tell. 90005 90002 90003 “At mingizip shapan zhabu” 90004 is a high honour. According to the tradition, a respected visitor, who may be a poet (akin), a hero, warrior (batir) or other very respected man receives a gift from local residents : a horse and a splendid shapan (robe of camel’s hair with a cotton lining) in recognition of their merit.90005 90002 90003 Baygazy 90004 – a tradition of giving a gift to a person, who acquired a new valuable thing. 90011 90005 90002 90003 3. Traditions and customs associated with mutual aid 90004 90005 90002 Helping each other has always been highly valued by Kazakhs and is very important in a Kazakh community. Therefore, there are a number of traditions, which are associated with mutual aid. Some of them are listed below: 90005 90002 90003 Asar 90004 – a family, which has to perform an urgent and sometimes a hard work, has a right to ask relatives, friends and neighbours for assistance.At the end of the work, a rich table is laid as a gratitude for those, who helped. 90005 90002 90003 Zhylu 90004 – a tradition associated with the provision of material, moral and financial assistance to people affected by natural disasters (fire, flood, etc.). All supporters, not only relatives are entitled to help the victims. Many things can be given as donations – livestock, building materials, clothing, money, etc. 90005 90002 90003 Belkoterer 90004 – a tradition to treat the elderly.Delicious and most importantly – soft foods such as kazy, zhent, cottage cheese are cooked for the elderly. Typically, this responsibility rests on children or close relatives, the less likely neighbours. Belkoterer tradition is an example of caring for the elderly. 90011 90005 90002 90003 4. Traditions and customs associated with birth and upbringing of the child 90004 90005 90002 Traditions, connected with the birth of children and their upbringing, apparently play a very important role in many cultures.Just a brief description of such rituals and traditions followed by Kazakh families, is given below. All of these rituals are usually followed by celebrations. 90005 90002 90003 Shіldehana 90004 – a celebration that is associated with childbirth. 90005 90002 90003 Besіkke salu, besik toy 90004 – a holiday, hosted when the newborn is put to a cradle – besik. As a rule, it is organized on the 3rd-5th day after dropout of umbilical cord of the kid. 90005 90002 90003 Kyrkynan shygar 90004 90003 u 90004 – a ritual performed on the fortieth day after birth that includes bathing baby in 40 tablespoons of water, and the first haircut and nail cut and other rituals.90005 90002 90003 Tusau kesu 90004 – a day when the baby took his first steps the oldest and most respected people is invited to perform a ceremony of Tusau keser. Then he or she should cut the special ropes, beset baby’s legs, in order to ensure that in future the kid could walk nicely and run fast. 90005 90002 90003 Sundetke otyrgyzu 90004 is a rite of circumcision. The ceremony is held when a boy is 5-7 years old. A big festival to which all the relatives and friends are invited is organized after this.On the occasion of Sundetke otyrgyzu guests usually make generous gifts to the hero of the occasion and his parents. 90011 90005 90002 90003 5. Traditions and customs related to marriage 90004 90005 90002 One of unique Kazakh traditions related to marriages is that the marriage between relatives up to the seventh generation is prohibited. Such taboo helps to prevent blood mixing and, consequently, benefit to the health of future offspring. 90011 Traditionally, sequence of the ceremonies and rituals related to a marriage is the following.90011 Any wedding ceremony in the Kazakh society is anticipated by 90003 kudalyk 90004 (matchmaking). Before the wedding, matchmakers come to bride’s house. Their task is to agree with the closest relatives of a girl on her marriage. During courtship, father of the bride receives gifts from the guests that serve as a deposit. 90011 If negotiations are successful, the father, in turn, presents a coat to the main matchmaker. This custom is called “90003 Shege Sapa 90004”. Preparation of “90003 kuyruk bauyr 90004” – a delicious dish from the liver and broad tail fat also testifies to the successful completion of courtship.90011 The next stage of the ceremony is sendoff of the bride 90003 Kyz uzatu 90004. In the evening before the Kyz uzatu matchmakers come to the bride’s house again. Number of visitors should not be even (5-7). Early in the morning, the bride with matchmakers is sent to the groom’s house. 90011 Solemn ceremony of meeting the bride in the groom’s house is called 90003 kelіn tusіru 90004. The main element of kelіn tүsіru is a traditional performance of a song of instructions and wishes – 90003 Betashar 90004.90011 In ancient times when the Kazakhs practiced a nomadic lifestyle, dwelling (yurt) of newlyweds was located behind the house of groom’s parents. According to the tradition, the first threshold of the yurt was to be crossed by the bride, and be sure to do it with the right foot. Also during the wedding ceremony, the couple must drink together a bowl of water with dissolved sugar and salt. This ritual is considered as a guarantor of a happy family life. 90011 90005 90002 90003 6.The most ancient traditions of Kazakh people 90004 90005 90002 90003 Ashamayga mingizu 90004 is a ritual whereby a 6-7-years-old boy was supposed to be given a horse and whip. Such a ritual is a kind of “initiation”, having proclaimed that the child is a jigit. On this day, elders blessed the young rider and parents organized a small celebration in honour of their son. 90005 90002 90003 Bastangy 90004 is an ancient analog of contemporary youth parties. Traditionally, these celebrations are conducted immediately after departure of adults.During Bastangy, guests express only one wish that the travel of the adults would be accompanied by luck. 90005 90002 Author VisitKazakhstan.kz 90005 90002 90005.90000 Culture and traditions in Kazakhstan – Welcome.kz 90001 90002 Kazakhstan is a multinational and multicultural country. Its vast territory had not only nations mixed, but also there has been interpenetration of different cultures. A special, Kazakhstan’s culture has developed. 90003 90002 However, despite such a mixture of cultures, each nation of Kazakhstan carefully preserves its cultural traditions and customs. Kazakhs have a great number of traditions, which are passed down from generation to generation, and are gladly adopted by young people.If we enumerate them all, even a simple list of traditions and customs will make up a weighty volume. Therefore, we shall tell you about the most important and widely observed traditions. 90003 90006 90007 Guest reception traditions 90008 90009 90002 Everyone who has visited Kazakhstan at least once forever remembers traditional Kazakh hospitality. Moreover, not only Kazakhs but also probably all other nations inhabiting Kazakhstan accepted this traditional hospitality and respect for the guest.90003 90002 Such an attitude to the guests formed in ancient times. Accidental travelers, as well as guests, were always welcomed with hospitality and treated to the most delicious food. The ancestors of the Kazakhs were nomads, so staying in an unfamiliar house was a common thing. This custom is called “90007 Konaqasy 90008”. 90003 90002 The guest is invited to the yurt to seat in the honorable place (tor) opposite the entrance. They immediately serve light treats of Kazakh cuisine and drinks: qymyz, shubat, ayran or tea with milk.Fresh baursaki, fresh flatbreads, kurt, irimshik are placed on the table. Horsemeat or lamb appetizers are immediately served as well: zhaya, qazy, shuzhuq and others. 90003 90002 Often, in honor of the guest’s arrival, the hosts cut lamb and cook several dishes with it at once: quyrdak of lungs, liver and kidneys, which is served as a pre-course, and the main dish of the Kazakh table – yet , or Kazakh meat (otherwise called “beshparmak”). Boiled meat is usually arranged in large pieces on a tray.The owner slices the meat himself, treating each guest with tidbits. Such cutting is also traditional: pelvic bones and shin are intended for old people, brisket for son-in-law or daughter-in-law, cervical vertebrae for girls, etc. The owner presents the most honored guest with the head of a ram prepared specially. Meat is necessarily served with rich broth in bowls. 90003 90002 Another ritual, or tradition, the 90007 Konaqkade 90008, is associated with the reception of guests. At the end of the meal, the host can ask the guest to perform a song or play a musical instrument.In return, the guest usually performs improvisation, in which he thanks the hosts for a warm welcome. 90003 90002 Dear, important guests are specially brought to the Kazakh house, for this purpose, there is a ritual called 90007 At Mingizip Shapan Zhabu 90008. Dear person, who visited the house, was given a horse and an expensive chapan (embroidered robe made of camel wool with chintz lining). 90003 90002 Sometimes the important guest was presented with a horse, sable fur coat, camel, or Persian carpet or sword.The most valuable things in the house were given as a gift to show respect to the dear guest. This tradition is called 90007 Bes Zhaqsy 90008, or five valuable things. Nowadays this custom is not often observed, but in some villages of Kazakhstan, it still strong. 90003 90002 Since those ancient times, for example, one interesting tradition has been preserved – 90007 Yerulik 90008, or acquaintance with new newcomers. New residents of the village are invited to dinner or lunch with their closest neighbors.Thus, at the set table, people are acquainted and newcomers join the society more easily. In many Kazakh families, this tradition is still alive today, whether the family lives in an aul or a modern apartment building. 90003 90036 There are some other interesting traditions related to hospitality: 90037 90002 • 90007 Toqymqagar 90008 or the farewell ceremony. Usually happens before the departure of someone from the family for a long time. A ram must be cut and a toy-dastarkhan must be arranged.Seer-offs say various wishes for those going on a long journey. 90041 • 90007 Tize Bugu 90008. An ancient tradition, according to which the guest entering the house kneels, showing respect for the owner and his house. Previously, the entrance to the house without observing this rite was perceived as an insult. 90041 • 90007 Toy-Dastarkhan 90008 is a festive feast. In addition to a rich feast, the Toy-Dastarkhan includes sports, music, song contests (aitys), races and other games.90041 • 90007 Shashu 90008 is a ritual during the holiday: the arrival of dear guests, weddings, matchmakings, etc., the heroes of the occasion are showered with sweets and coins. Children usually collect scattered candy and money. Kazakhs believe that sweets picked up during Shashu bring good luck. 90041 • 90007 Suyunshi 90008 is a custom to give valuable gifts to those who bring good news. 90041 • 90007 Baigazy 90008 is a tradition to give a small gift to those who bought a new thing.90041 • 90007 Sarqyt 90008 is a tradition to take away food after the dastarkhan. The hosts give the guests the rest of the meal to take with them. 90041 • 90007 Tugan zherge aunatu 90008. The custom of meeting the traveler. A person who has lived for a long time far from his homeland must be rolled in the ground upon return. 90041 90003 90006 Wedding traditions 90009 90002 90007 Kazakh wedding 90008 is a grandiose significant event as in any other family.However, the Kazakh wedding is not just a holiday for newlyweds, parents, close relatives and friends, as it is accepted all over the world. The Kazakh wedding is a union of two kinship ties. Therefore, the Kazakh wedding implies a lot of different rituals and traditions, which should be strictly observed. 90003 90002 In the olden days, the young man proposed to the girl through his brother’s wife. The bride could not see her husband until the wedding, and if she did not like him, she still had no right to disobey her parents: they decided their fate for their children.90003 90002 Today, of course, everything is different. Kazakh guys and girls, as well as all over the world, get acquainted on the street, in cafes, in social networks, but wedding rites still matter and are necessarily held during the marriage and at the wedding ceremony. 90003 90002 As before, matchmakers (90007 qudalar 90008) come to the house with gifts. The bride’s ring is given by his brother’s wife, not the groom himself. Wedding day used to be set by the elders of the family, but today the date of the wedding is discussed with the newlyweds.During weddings, matchmakers usually exchange expensive gifts. 90003 90002 The tradition of paying 90007 kalym 90008, or bride price, is not always the case now, but in many rural families, where traditions are stronger, they try to honor the customs and give the bride’s family cattle, expensive fabrics and jewelry. Traditionally, the groom has the right to see the bride and visit her parents ‘house only after the payment of kalym. 90003 90002 After all the procedures have been followed and matchmaking has taken place, the bride’s father appoints a day of farewell to the beloved daughter (90007 qyz uzatu 90008) and gives all the groom’s relatives clothes.90003 90002 The wedding itself is a great holiday to which all relatives of the bride and groom are usually invited. During the wedding, the specially invited akyn sings traditional Kazakh wedding songs, contests, dances, and funny competitions are held. After the wedding, the newlyweds go to the wedding tent. 90003 90036 List of the main traditional wedding rites: 90037 90002 • 90007 Qudalyq 90008 – matchmaking of the groom’s parents together with close relatives of the bride. 90041 • 90007 Aran Keru 90008 – a rite of passage of matchmakers to the house of the bride’s parents.90041 • 90007 Bethashar 90008 – the rite of revealing the bride’s face. Bride show at the wedding. 90041 • 90007 Syrga salu 90008 is a symbolic rite of putting on earrings for the bride by the mother of the groom, which means the final contract between the grooms. 90041 • 90007 Qalyng mal (kalym) 90008 – payment of kalym (gift) by the groom’s side to the bride’s side as a gratitude for their work and upbringing of the girl. 90041 • 90007 Qyz uzatu 90008 is a traditional rite of farewell for the bride from the parents ‘house to the groom’s parents’ house.90041 • 90007 Qursaq toy 90008 – Kazakh folk custom of the groom’s family to arrange a holiday after the news of the pregnancy of the bride. 90041 • 90007 Bride theft 90008 is a tradition when a dzhigit simply kidnapped a girl he liked and took her to his village. After the kidnapping, all other rituals were performed. Today, this is only done with the consent of the girl herself. Otherwise, kidnapping is considered a criminal offence. 90003 90006 Customs related to children 90009 90117 Tusau kesu (cutting the ties) 90118 90002 Many Kazakh customs are related to children.For the Kazakh family, children are the most important treasure, so their growth and upbringing are associated with a huge number of rituals and traditions. This is either laying in the cradle, naming, and, of course, one of the most important customs for a child – Tusau Kesu, or cutting the ties. This ceremony is held when the child starts taking his first steps. 90003 90002 A child’s legs are tied with a thin, colorful cord, which is cut by an energetic man with many children, a respected aksakal, a dear important guest.The cord, which is used to tie the legs of the baby, traditionally consists of black and white threads. It means that in life there are not only white but also black stripes – the future jigit must be able to overcome difficulties. 90003 90002 The ritual is accompanied by songs and wishes (bata), so that the child stood firmly on his feet, confidently walked through life. After cutting the ties, usually followed the toy: a holiday with a feast, contests, songs and music competitions. After Tusau keser, a child used to get a horse and saddle, today they are limited to expensive gifts or money.90003 90117 Sundet-toy (circumcision) 90118 90002 Another custom, which has been preserved and is often observed in Kazakh families, is the Sundet, or the rite of circumcision. This custom appeared in Kazakhs with the arrival of Islam in the Great Steppe and is still considered one of the most important family traditions. 90003 90002 Sundet is conducted when a child turns 3, 5 or 7 years old. On the day of the holiday, the boy is dressed in beautiful national clothes and put on horseback.Relatives weave brightly colored ribbons into the horse’s mane and tie a bag of treats to the saddle. The boy should drive up to relatives in turn and treat them with food from the bag. When all the gifts and treats are given out, the boy goes to a separate yurt (or room) together with a mullah (and nowadays – with a surgeon), where he is circumcised without anesthesia. After that, parents organize a magnificent holiday – Sundet toy where everyone present gives the child money or valuable gifts.90003 90036 Other traditions and customs related to the birth and upbringing of a child 90037 90002 • 90007 Shildehana 90008 – toy dastarkhan, the birthday party for the baby. 90041 • 90007 Besikke salu, besik toy 90008 – toy-dastarkhan in honor of the placement of the newborn in the cradle. As a rule, it is organized on 3-5 days after the fall off the umbilical cord of the baby. Before that, the child sleeps with his mother. 90041 • 90007 Yesim qoyu or at qoyu.90008 A ceremony in which the child is given a name. It is often combined with Schildehana or Besikke salu. A respected person usually gives the name of the child. 90041 • 90007 Qyrqynan shygaru. 90008 A ceremony performed on the fortieth day after the birth of a child. The child is bathed in 40 spoons of water, hair and nails are cut for the first time 90041 • 90007 Auzyna tukirtu 90008. The name of this ritual translates as “spit in the mouth”. The Kazakhs have a belief that with a drop of saliva given to a child by a respected person, the child will receive a piece of talent from that person.90041 • 90007 Ashamayga mingizu. 90008 It is a tradition to give a 6-7-year-old boy a horse and a Kamcha (whip). During this ritual, the child was proclaimed a dzhigit. On this day, the old men blessed the child, and the parents arranged a small toy in honor of the son. 90003 90006 Aitys 90009 90002 90007 Aitys 90008 is one of the obligatory parts of the holiday program of any Kazakh holiday. It is a poetic-musical competition of the Kazakh singers-improvisers. 90003 90002 During the aitys, the performers sit or stand in front of each other and start a kind of song dialogue, constantly passing the word to each other, continuing the theme started by the opponent.Aitys can be held on any arbitrary theme. According to the results of the competition, the winner is chosen. The jury consisting of distinguished people or guests of the festival evaluates not only the musicality and performing talent, but also the skill in parrying the arguments of the opponent, humor, and ingenuity. 90003 90002 Aitys is somewhat reminiscent of modern rap battles: the same principle is used in the order of performance and the evaluation of participants. 90003 90002 Several akyns can take part in aitys, although paired performances are more traditional.Aitys is often held between a man and a woman. For example, in 1946 Kazakh composer Mukan Tulebayev wrote the opera “Birzhan and Sarah” based on aitys between famous akyns of the XIX century Birzhan-sal and Sarah Tastanbekkyzy. 90003 90006 Nauryz Holiday 90009 90002 Another wonderful tradition dating back to the ancient pre-Islamic times of the history of the Kazakh people – the holiday Nauryz. It is a holiday of spring, renewal of nature, the beginning of a new year, a new life. According to Tengrian beliefs, Nauryz is considered the beginning of the New Year and is celebrated on March 22 on the day of the vernal equinox.90003 90002 Like the rest of the great feasts, Nauryz consists of many small rituals and customs. The holiday begins at dawn, when all the inhabitants of the village or aul come out together to plant trees under the guidance of aksakals. 90003 90002 After the trees are planted, everyone gathers for the celebration. People have fun, congratulate each other on New Year’s Eve and wish each other peace, prosperity, richness and happiness. Songs composed especially for this holiday – Nauryz Zhyr are performed.Sports competitions are held: kures wrestling, racing – baiga. Often in the middle of the village, there are big swings for children and youth. There are also intellectual contests for solving poetic riddles and contests in short sayings. 90003 90002 After the holiday, each family in each house sets a festive table – dastarkhan. The meal was usually held at noon. Before and after the meal, the invited mullah reads prayers in honor of the ancestors. At the end of the meal, the eldest of those present gave a blessing (bata) to keep the family intact year after year.In this ritual, we see the fusion of pagan and Muslim traditions. 90003 90002 During the Nauryz holiday, the presence of the number seven representing seven days of the week, the unit of time of universal eternity, was mandatory: before the aksakals were placed seven bowls with a special festive drink of Nauryz-kozhe, which was prepared from seven types of cereals, the dastarkhan had seven different treats. 90003 90002 The festive day usually ended with aitys – a great performance, where all the surrounding akyns competed in improvising skills.Aitys ended up with the sunset: it was believed that this was the moment when good conquered evil. Then the fire was lit, and people with torches lit from it, with songs and dances went around all the neighborhoods of the village, completing the holiday of spring renewal and equinox. 90003 90036 Traditional Kazakh games and entertainment: 90037 90002 • 90007 Kazakh traditional hunting with golden eagle. 90008 Golden eagle has been used since ancient times by nomads for hunting small game: hares, corsacs, foxes, etc.Specially trained berkutchi hunters are engaged in breeding and preparation of hunting birds. 90041 • 90007 Kazakh traditional hunting with Tazy. 90008 Kazakh hound Tazy is a unique animal, an ancient breed of hunting hounds, belonging to the intangible heritage of UNESCO. With Tazy, Kazakhs hunt small game and steppe antelopes. 90041 • 90007 Kures 90008 – Kazakh wrestling on belts. Competitions are usually held during the Toy. Other peoples of Central Asia also have analogies of this struggle.90041 • 90007 Toguz Qumalaq 90008. Table game based on number 9. This seems to be a simple, but quite complex logical game, which is often called “algebra of shepherds”, as it often brightened up the leisure time of nomads. 90041 • 90007 Asyq 90008 is a children’s street kernel game, which has now become the national sport in Kazakhstan. The country even holds Asyq tournaments. 90041 • 90007 Bastangy 90008 is a kind of format for youth parties, which was usually held after the departure of parents.Young people gathered for a small party. During the Bastangy, they often expressed the wish that the journey went smoothly and without incidents. 90041 • 90007 Asar 90008 is a tradition to help someone with the whole family or the whole generation, with the whole village. This could be building a house or cattle sheds. At the end of the work, dastarkhan was held for the helpers. 90041 • 90007 Zhylu 90008 is a tradition very similar to Asar. In this case, they help those who have suffered as a result of natural disasters: fires, floods, etc.Any person, of any kind, and even the Juz can help the victims to the best of his ability. Donations can be cattle, building materials, clothes, money, labor force as a help. 90041 • 90007 Belkoterer 90008 is a tradition of preparing special meals for the elderly. Tasty, soft dishes such as kazy, zhent, koumiss, cottage cheese, etc. are specially prepared for them. The duty to treat the elderly rests with children or close relatives, less often neighbors. 90003 90036 Conclusion 90037 90002 Of course, we can tell about all the traditions and rituals for a long time, show photos and pictures.However, the best thing to do is to come to Kazakhstan and see yourself, to take part in these beautiful and bright ceremonies, to experience the warm hospitality of the Kazakh people. 90003 .90000 Kazakh Wedding Traditions 90001 90002 Without exaggeration, the wedding can be called one of the most important events in the life of a Kazakh. Parents would begin to prepare for it long before their children came of age, looking for a worthy family for their child in neighboring villages. The wedding ceremony was accompanied by many traditions, which took place over several days. 90003 90002 The most important of all Kazakh wedding traditions that remains to this day is the ban on the marriage of relatives up to the seventh generation (adat).Other traditions have become outdated in the 21st century. 90003 90002 A Kazakh wedding was celebrated in several stages: matchmaking, meeting of the in-laws, acquaintance of the bride and groom, a lively feast in the bride’s home, seeing off the bride and the official marriage ceremony, to name a few. 90003 90008 90009 90002 90011 Matchmaking (kyz aitytru) 90012 90003 90002 In Kazakhstan, arranged marriage was common, and it was not unusual for the boy’s parents to choose a bride long before he became an adult.Families with strong ties would sometimes agree to marry their children even before they were born. In other cases, the matchmaking took place immediately after the birth of the children. 90003 90002 Parents would travel to neighboring villages to get acquainted with families with young, prospective brides for their sons. They would learn all they could about potential in-laws, right down to the presence of hereditary diseases in the family. 90003 90002 When two families reached mutual agreement, the so-called kyz aitytru took place.If parents were able to find siblings from a suitable family to marry both their son and daughter, the combination was called kars wer. 90003 90002 Occasionally there were kyz koru events, where the sons of noble parents could see and choose a bride of their choice. Competitions were held at such meetings, with boys and girls alike reciting aitys, a form of oral folk song poetry. 90003 90002 A representative of the bridegroom’s family (souse) was sent to the bride’s father to arrange a wedding.Having reached agreement, the father of the bride and the souse exchanged gifts: a horse and bridle was presented from the groom’s side, and a festive robe from the bride’s family. When the representative of the groom returned home with the robe draped over his shoulders, the family greeted him with excitement, showering him with sweets and coins. 90003 90002 90011 Meeting of the In-laws (kuda tusu) 90012 90003 90002 The matchmaking was followed by the meeting of the in-laws, when the father of the groom and his relatives went to the bride’s home to present gifts.The bride’s family invited the guests to a table to eat a special dish made from liver and fat. The in-laws would eat together from one dish, after which they were closely bound together. After this meal it was considered shameful to rescind on the agreement, and if one of the parties decided to cancel the wedding, they had to return the gifts and pay compensation. 90003 90002 Before departing, the matchmakers were also presented with precious jewelry, clothes, hats and animals. The richer the families, the more luxurious were the gifts.The very wealthy could give a whole block of gold or even a mare with a foal. 90003 90002 Later the details of the wedding were discussed: the date, place, cost and dowry. When the matchmaking was officially over, the bridegroom paid the dowry to the bride’s family, often consisting of cattle. 90003 90002 90011 Acquaintance of the bride and groom (kyz kashar or uryn kelu) 90012 90003 90002 Having paid the bride price, the groom could finally visit his future wife for the first time.This visit was played out as if it were secret, although in fact the whole village knew about it. The groom and his retinue arrived in the village and performed many ceremonies before the groom could meet the bride’s family. The next day a celebration was held in which the groom, bride and other youth sang, danced and presented one another with numerous gifts. The girl would give the groom a scarf as a symbol of her innocence. 90003 90002 90011 Wedding day celebration (uzatu toi) 90012 90003 90002 On their wedding day, the groom would come for his bride.Dressed in a red robe and a headdress adorned with eagle owl feathers, he was expected to pay a fine unless he performed various tasks. The groom brought livestock with him, the meat of which would be used for a wedding feast, along with numerous gifts. The richer the bridegroom was, the more luxurious the gifts that would be expected from him. 90003 90002 The bride would get dressed in her father’s house, with the final piece of adornment being the saukele headdress, a revered piece of Kazakhstan traditional clothing.This headdress was the most expensive feature of her costume, and the most experienced, respected woman would be entrusted with the task of putting it on the bride. The headdress symbolized the entry into married life, a farewell to the carefree girl of former days. She was required to wear this, with her face veiled, to the groom’s home, and the groom would pay an expensive ‘ransom’ for the saukele. 90003 90002 Gifts for the bride were called jasau and included precious jewelry, luxurious clothes, carpets and dishes.Sometimes this jasau was much more expensive than the dowry itself. 90003 90002 The wedding celebration, or toy, included wrestling, horse races and other activities. At the festival, they sang traditional choral songs in which they wished the young couple a happy life together. 90003 90002 90011 Seeing off the bride 90012 90003 90002 On the eve of her departure from her father’s house, the bride would say goodbye to her relatives. This was a time filled with gift-giving – the family gave the bride treasured gifts; the bride’s father gave his son-in-law and close relatives clothing; and the groom gave the bride’s parents additional presents.90003 90002 The father said a prayer of blessing before his daughter departed and at sunrise, the girl was escorted from her father’s house. She sang a special song of farewell to her family. The girl was not allowed to look around. 90003 90002 The girl was taken away by her groom and his friends, of whom there had to be an odd number. The matchmakers led the caravan, the bride rode behind them, and at the end of the caravan, young men were charged with the task of joking and singing special songs.Anyone who met the caravan on its way could stop it to ask for a small gift, in exchange for which they wished the young couple happiness. 90003 90002 When the wedding party arrived to the girl’s home, another celebration and more gift-giving ensued. 90003 90002 90011 Arrival of the bride to her new home (kelin tusiru) 90012 90003 90002 The bride, along with the husband’s sister, was met near the village by young girls who came out to escort her into the house and seat her behind a special curtain.A big celebration was arranged, to which relatives and friends of the family were invited. As soon as all the guests arrived for the holiday, the bride was brought out and the betashar ceremony – the uncovering of the bride’s face- began. 90003 90002 It started with a special song, during which the girl bowed to her husband’s relatives while they responded by giving her gifts. When the song ended, the mother-in-law approached the young bride, kissed her and, with wishes of happiness, took off her shawl.The women present at the celebration would then use this shawl to wrap up a bowl of mare’s milk to ensure that the new bride would help to continue the family line. 90003 90002 90011 Marriage Ceremony 90012 90003 90002 The Muslim ceremony neke kiyar was performed in the mosque the day after the celebration. The rite was performed by a mullah (Muslim priest), with only four people present: the groom, bride and two witnesses. The mullah would read a special prayer three times while holding a bowl with water and silver coins at the bottom, and the couple had to drink from it several times from the same edge.After that, the witnesses also drank from the bowl while removing the coins. 90003 90002 90011 The newlyweds ‘first night 90012 90003 90002 On the first night, the husband’s older sister or relative would prepare the young couple’s bed while giving them humorous advice and instructions. The next morning, the groom had to give his new bride a valuable gift (zholdyk). 90003 90002 90011 Rites after the wedding 90012 90003 90002 The wedding was over, but the observance of many traditions continued.The parents of the young had to host a tos to which all the young female relatives of the groom were invited. They were treated with gifts on behalf of the bride and groom. 90003 90002 Neighbors and close relatives invited the girl to visit in a tradition called korset so that she would quickly get used to her new surroundings. The girl always brought gifts with her, as coming empty-handed was considered impolite. During the visit, they checked to see how courteous, well-educated and socially adept she was.90003 90002 The groom must go to visit his wife’s father, and of course special gifts were also brought along for this occasion. 90003 90002 Interestingly, the new bride was not allowed to visit her father’s house for a whole year. It was believed that this would help her adjust more quickly to life in a new family. 90003 90002 90011 Wedding traditions today 90012 90099 Today, the modern Kazakh wedding is heavily influenced by European customs, and Kazakhstan dating customs are much different than they were in the past.90003 90002 However, along with having a wedding procession, a bridal bouquet and photo shoots, Kazakhs continue to honor and observe many of their ancestors ‘traditions. The bride’s white dress is often complemented by the traditional saukele, and a scarf is still placed on her head in her new husband’s home to mark her change in status. Weddings are still held over the course of several days in Kazakhstan. Traditions may have changed with the times, but many traces of traditional Kazakh weddings can still be seen today.90003.